Letters: They say one thing and then vote another?

As some of the most radical abortion legislation ever considered, the "Freedom of Choice Act" abortion bill would become an entitlement the government must fund and promote.

It would eliminate regulations that protect women from unsafe clinics and unscrupulous abortionists; force American taxpayers to fund abortions; force every state to allow partial-birth abortions; and strip parents of their right and responsibility to be involved in their minor daughter's abortion decision.

I recently sent an e-mail to Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin. The response from Stabenow was typical political talk -- a lot of words but no substance or clear indication of how she planned to vote on this legislation.

The response from Levin was just the opposite as he was quite clear about his beliefs.

Here is an excerpt: "While I am personally opposed to abortions unless they are performed to save the life or health of the mother or are performed as a result of rape or incest, I support a public policy that permits a woman to decide whether or not to have an abortion within the guidelines set by Roe v. Wade."

I find it very difficult to understand why someone who opposes abortion could possibly ignore that belief and support legislation that, basically, permits individuals to commit murder. Killing an unborn child is murder. What does it take to realize that since no one seems to be able to determine when exactly a human life begins, we should err on the side of the unborn?

This act also would allow my taxes to support abortions for those who can't afford them when I totally oppose this form of murder. This is unacceptable.

I am so tired of hearing legislators say they oppose abortion but support legislation that permits it. Those women certainly have a right to choose -- before they get pregnant.

And yes, when a woman is pregnant due to rape or incest, as horrible as that is, that baby should be given the chance to live. Only God can give life, and only God should be able to take it away.

Pat Middleton
Saginaw Township

Privacy threatened

Editor, The News:

Along with advancement in technology has come much change, and there is now a dangerous movement in regard to the right of privacy and the inclination of free speech and press.

How I love today's society. All I need to do is type in a search engine, and I can see a picture of singer Rihanna bruised and beaten that was stolen from a police investigation in Los Angeles. We also can use cell phones and cameras to take pictures and post private moments without permission. Our media coverage has gone from just spotlighting celebrities to legalized stalking.

Just recently, a young man took his own life online and was even encouraged to do so from the participants watching the event. And there is a clip of some teenagers who decided to videotape a teenage girl being cornered and assaulted.

I could even sell information about controversial court cases to news channels and quite possibly interfere with a police investigation. What the heck, it's only TV.

In America, the reality is we are blessed with so many available rights that we blow out our birthday candles on a daily basis. What rights and protections of rights we have now are very uncertain, especially in regard to the new available technology and reality programming. My only hope is that consideration of what exactly our rights to privacy entail will be explored by our new president.

There is a huge lesson to learn with the death of Princess Diana. We mourned her fragile heart, yet did nothing to the chasing reporters.

Acceptable programming exists and in some cases is well-intentioned. Journalists and photographers who bring truth to our screens also should be commended for bringing light to the harsher realities of life. Each brings a different venue that is totally acceptable.

Yet as a society we must remember that immigrants flocked to our land for the beauty of choice. When our choice greatly interferes with the choice of others, we must step back and take a breather.

Dorothy Richardson
Freeland

Recognize athletes

Editor, The News:

Are there any track fans in the area?

I recently attended a track meet at SVSU that hosted the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for two days of action Feb. 27-28.

There were a few All-Americans in the sport passing out awards. If football and basketball are recognized, why not track athletics, too. But yet not a word in The Saginaw News about this event or that great sport.